( NOT EDITED / PROOFREAD )
- reminder that this book is a slow burn! so don't expect things to go the way you want it to🫣

The beach was directly in front of the house. It only took a few steps before your feet would hit sand.

Juliette liked how isolated it was. The beach in front of the house wasn't a well known beach, so only a few other people were there as well.

Arthur had brought a cooler and a few towels along with him.

There were already a few beach chairs there, so the three decided to sit together on those chairs.

Juliette sat in the middle, Charles was on her left, and Arthur was on her right.

Juliette placed her phone on the side, as she sat up and peeled her beach dress off.

"Arthur, could you pass me some iced tea?" Juliette questioned. Arthur turned to her and stared at her blankly. "No."

Juliette rose a brow. "Dude-" Arthur concealed his laughs, as Charles interrupted the girl.

"I'll get it."

Charles reached over to the cooler, before handing her the iced tea. There hands touched, sending sparks throughout their bodies. They briefly met each other's glances, before Charles cleared his throat.

"I'm so bored." Arthur groaned, as if he was a child. Juliette rolled her eyes. "Just lemme finish my drink and let's jump into the water."

CHARLES' POV:

The sun glazed upon her lightly tanned skin, as it glowed in the lighting. Her hair back in it's natural waves, a small smile played at her lips, as she threw her head back in laughter.

I admired her. The tingly feeling in my stomach was more evident as ever right now.

"Juli, did you finish?" I questioned, as the brunette turned, as she nodded.

"Okay then, let's go for a dip." I smiled softly. Her eyes met mine, as she nodded gently-again. She was more quiet than usual, I wasn't sure why. And I was the only person who seemingly picked up on it.

"Lets bring a few floaties!" Arthur exclaimed in a child-like manner. Juliette snickered at the boy. I grinned a little, a small chuckle falling from my lips.

My brother quickly grabbed a few inflated donuts, and carried it along with him to the shore, Juliette and I followed him.

I glanced briefly at her as she stared forward, a small smile played at her lips as Arthur fell over the donuts.

She jogged up towards the water, and met with a giggly Arthur, who had completely drenched himself in the ocean water. She offered him a hand to pull him back up to his feet.

Which then resulted in him pulling her into the water. A small squeal left her lips, as she glared at him.

"Oh you are so dead!" She yelled, as she chased him into the water.

I laughed as I joined in the fun. We splashed each other with water, pushed each other around, and even pulled each other into the water.

It was pure, innocent fun.

ஓ๑♡๑ஓ

THIRD PERSON POV:
They had ended the evening at the pool, they were exhausted from the few hours that they had spent at the beach.

Juliette and Arthur had gone inside for some time, as Charles kept his torso above water, scrolling mindlessly on his phone.

Juliette walked around the poolside, and sat on the tanning chair, as she rummaged through her beach bag.

She groaned in frustration. Charles' gaze fell upon her. "What's going on?"

Juliette sighed. "I can't find my phone." She pouted slightly. "I bet Arthur probably took it."

Charles attempted to conceal his grin. Juliette turned to the Leclerc, who was in the pool.

He was being awfully silent. Juliette squinted her eyes. "What did you do?"

"Nothing!" Charles laughed. Juliette then spotted her phone beside him. "You asshole! Give it back!"

"You gotta come here and take it." Charles stuck his tongue out. Juliette sighed. "Seriously?! Charles, I don't have enough time for your shenanigans."

"Well then you're not gonna get it back." He wiggled his brows. Juliette glared at him, which resulted in his face falling.

Juliette's glares were scary.

Charles chuckled lightly. "Fine. Take it."

She glanced down at him, squinting once more. Before grabbing her phone from his hands.

He then grabbed her wrist, and pulled her into the pool.

She let out a yelp, as she hit the water. The Bianchi then rose back to the top, and took a deep breath, while looking at him in disbelief.

"Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc! What the actual fuck?" Juliette exclaimed, as she ran a hand through her now drenched hair.

Charles laughed chaotically, as Juliette groaned. "This isn't funny! My phones completely fucked up now."

Charles rolled his eyes. "Don't be so dramatic. It's water proof."

"Doesn't matter! It won't even turn on." She pouted, as she fiddled around with the buttons on her phone. She groaned, as the screen stayed completely black.

That's when silence wavered upon the two. Charles' eyes shamelessly glazed over her features. The freckles scattered upon her skin, the natural blush that had formed on cheeks due to the sun exposure, the water droplets rolling down her forehead.

Juliette had just realized how close they were to one another.

She glanced up at him through her eyelashes, a shy look etched onto her face. Charles admired her, as her slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in.

It was as if everything else didn't exist. Juliette gazed upon his face, as the luminescent lights that surrounded the pool lightly hit it.

She felt his soft breaths fan her face. She boldly brought her hands up to his fluffy hair, tangling her fingers through the locks.

The two leaned in, it was as if sparks had exploded just as their lips were about to touch.

About to.

That's when Arthur had given them a reality check.

"Charles, Juli! I got the popsicles, come back inside!" He exclaimed.

Juliette's breath hitched, as she got out of whatever daze she was in.

Charles cringed, his eyes closing shut as his hand rubbed his forehead, removing his arms from her waist.

Juliette glanced to the side, refusing to meet him in the eyes. The two felt as if air was constricted from their lungs, it was like the air was too thick, to the point where they felt as if they were suffocating from it.

"Um, I think we should go back inside." Juliette spoke softly. Her eyes not meeting his. Charles cleared his throat. "Um, yeah."

Juliette had left the compromising position that they were in, she climbed out of the pool. Not turning back as she walked back into the house.

Charles let his head gently hit the ledge of the pool in defeat.

He had his chance, and it was fucked up now. "Damn you, Arthur." He mumbled to himself, as he rubbed his face with both of his hands in frustration.

She was right there in his arms. Why didn't he just kiss her right away? What was the point of all the tensive seconds going by?

He should've just gently grabbed her face and kissed her when he had the chance, before Arthur could ruin it.

God, that was the closest he's ever gotten to feeling her lips on his. And it made him crave it even more, crave her even more.

But it was definitely going to be awkward now, he knew it, she knew it, they both knew it. Just as they were slowly mending their friendship, something had to fuck it up.

They were back to square one now. Again.

And it completely frustrated Charles.